“If you don’t understand THAT YOU HAVE A BRAND AND WHAT YOUR BRAND IS, you can’t sell it. Job seekers rarely realize that a ‘brandless’ resume can result in no interviews and ‘brandless’ interviews in never receiving offers. Right Fit Branding is the solution!” – Dr. Arlene -- Visit www.WinWithoutCompeting.com

Thursday, January 22, 2009

You’ve been told how to dress for an interview. The big day is here. You look in the mirror and say, “I look great.” That’s fine, but are you really ready to go on stage? An interview is a performance: like it or not. Let’s get you ready to go on stage. The interview game you’re going to play is called WIN Without Competing. To WIN, master a set of strategies incorporated in the Right Fit Method which are the rules of the game.

Here’s how to use the Right Fit Method to de-mystify three disastrous myths and shine during the interview.Myth 1: Employers prefer to interview candidates who are quiet, non-assertive, and unobtrusive. Right Fit: Employers are not looking to hire robots. They want to hire Right Fits. Walk into the interview with a brisk pace to show that you are energetic, goal directed, and enthusiastic. During the interview, do not sit like a bump on a log waiting for the employer to extract the information like a dentist extracts a tooth. Speak up! It’s all up to you.

Myth 2: Employers prefer to take charge of the interview. Right Fit: Not really. You must to take charge of the interview to show that you are assertive, dynamic, and enthusiastic. The employer needs to visualize you doing the job. Volunteer information about yourself to communicate why you are the Right Fit for the job. Think of yourself as the “seller” and the employer as the “buyer.” Ask questions to learn more about the position. Then, take what you learned and demonstrate how you match the specs. It’s all up to you.

Myth 3: Employers expect you to answer every question that they ask and you must respond quickly. Right Fit: Perhaps they do but you need to decide whether the question is appropriate. If you do not want to respond, then think of something polite to say to end the probing. If you can, try to read between the lines and determine what they really want to know so you can answer the “real” question, not the question that was asked. Answering personal question such as “Are you married?” or “What does your spouse do?” “Do you have children?” are not supposed to be asked. If a job requires a lot of travel, employers may ask these questions to help determine if you’re the Right Fit. They may be concerned that your personal situation could impact on your job performance. Reassure them that you can balance your professional and personal life. It’s all up to you.

To hear “you’re hired” during a recession, play the WIN Without Competing! game, master the Right Fit Method and remember “It’s all up to you.”

Thursday, January 15, 2009

Seeking a new job during a recession is a daunting task. Maybe not. It’s all up to you. Figure out if you should pursue the same career. Perhaps you love your career but want to change industries. Don’t say that’s not possible. Of course it’s possible. It’s all up to you. Change your mindset to embrace possibilities. Explore without restraints. Get in touch with your career passion.

When you are ready to begin your job search, here’s how to use the Right Fit Method to de-mystify three disastrous myths of the search:

Myth 1: Employers usually have a clear picture of the position they’re trying to fill. Employers usually like to see a parade of candidates to compare and contrast them to figure out the “best” candidate to hire.Right Fit: Stop the shopping: Your goal is to stop the employer from looking at lots of candidates. Ask the employer targeted questions so that you can create a blueprint of the Right Fit candidate. Explain how you match the specs. Be clear and precise when you broadcast your fit.

Myth 2: Calling companies about a job opening is a big mistake. It’s absolutely necessary to call companies to find out more information about the open position. You do not have to follow the standard procedure which many companies ask you to follow. Here it is. “Send your resume first and we will call you, if interested.” You’re not in the military. Be creative.Right Fit: When you call a company about a specific position, find out to whom the position reports and ask to speak to that person. Try to arrange a phone appointment, if that person is not available. When you make contact, ask questions to determine if you are the Right Fit and arrange an in-person interview, if the fit is right.

Myth 3: Arranging an interview without sending a resume first won’t work. You don’t need to follow this outdated procedure. Your resume is your written broadcast of yourself. Why not communicate verbally first?Right Fit: When you call a company to learn about a particular opportunity, if it’s the Right Fit, arrange an interview. Then, modify your resume to demonstrate that you are the Right Fit. Be sure to emphasize what you achieved in each of your positions. Focus on what you accomplished not what you did, nor the number of years you worked. For example, stating that you worked for 30 years in sales does not give any indication of success unless you state the amount of revenue you generated either directly or indirectly. Of course, you should include other accomplishments in addition to revenue generation.

If you act on any of these three myths, you jeopardize your chances of hearing “You’re Hired.”

Make no assumptions about what you can or cannot do. Rid your mind of the warrior mindset. Yes, there are 10 million unemployed and more to come. It’s all about you, not them. Adopt the mindset of “no competition.” Harness and hone your skill set to set a standard against which no one can compete. Imagine that you are training for the Olympics. Keep raising the bar until you achieve the gold medal. Play your own game. Find the Right Fit job with zero competition. It’s all up to you.

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About Me

Dr. Arlene Barro is a UCLA-trained behavioral educational psychologist. She holds a Ph.D. with distinction for her doctoral dissertation on creativity. The Right Fit Method, which Dr. Arlene created, is the focus of her book WIN Without Competing!, nominated for a business book award.

As a business and career strategist for
corporate entrepreneurs and solo entrepreneurs, Dr. Arlene creates
unique strategies for unparalleled success. She designs distinctive brands to direct the trajectory of businesses, organizations, and individuals.

Branding & Hiring Expert Dr. Arlene Barro is an author, talk show host, business consultant and master career coach, professional speaker, and CEO of barro global search, inc.